FOU impounds N250m fake drugs in Owerri

Federal Operations Unit, FOU, Zone ‘C’, an anti-smuggling unit of the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, in Owerri has seized a total of 1,777 cartons of fake and sub standard drugs, Super Mebendazole and Levamisole Hydrochloride, with a Duty Paid Value, DPV of N250, 676,300.00.
The fake drugs, according to the FOU Customs Area Controller, Dimka Victor David, came into the country, without NAFDAC registration, manufacturing batch numbers and expiration dates; implying that the importers have no value for human life.
Dimka disclosed this while showcasing the latest seizures recorded by the zone at the Customs Government Warehouses in Owerri and Benin; noting that the truck conveying the super mebendazole tablets was impounded on the Benin/Edo expressway, consequent upon a tip off by some patriotic individuals.
Highlighting that the drug baron on sighting his men at a close range, actually fled into the bush and escaped on foot, the driver of the truck was however arrested and is now helping in the investigation.
Dimka, on behalf of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Alhaji Abdullahi Dikko Inde has promptly handed over the seized items to the Directors of NAFDAC in-charge of Imo and Edo states, Messrs Mammael Victor and David West for further investigation; expressing concern at the rampant cases of smuggling of illicit, unregistered, controlled drugs and contraband goods in the country despite the obvious severe consequences on those arrested.
Dimka who also displayed 193 bales of fairly used Jumbo School bags seized by his men and 780 bales of second hand clothing impounded on the Eleme/Aba Road warned against the buying of used and expired tyres, often criminally smuggled into the country calling attention to their obvious implications to human lives.
While displaying other items seized, which included assorted types of furniture, 599 bags of 50kg long grain parboiled rice and 182 flashy vehicles, he regretted that while many Nigerians preoccupy themselves with ideas to move the nation forward, and acquire decent means of livelihood, few others shamelessly engage themselves in acts capable of bringing the nation to ruins.
He therefore warned smugglers, their agents and collaborators to turn a new leaf before the long arm of the law catches up with them, informing all that the Nigeria Customs Service is now better equipped, informed, trained and mobilized to dislodge smugglers wherever they hibernate or operate.
He equally appealed to members of the public with useful information about smugglers to always make them available to nearest Customs Command for necessary action pledging that such information would be treated with utmost confidentiality